doodlebug

¹ American  

[dood-l-buhg] / ˈdud lˌbʌg /

noun

1. the larva of an antlion.

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doodlebug ² American  

[dood-l-buhg] / ˈdud lˌbʌg /

noun

1. any of various small, squat vehicles.

2. a divining rod or similar device supposedly useful in locating underground water, oil, minerals, etc.

3. British Informal. buzz bomb.

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doodlebug British  

/ ˈduːdəlˌbʌɡ /

noun

1. another name for the V-1

2. a diviner's rod

3. a US name for antlion

4. any of certain insect larvae that resemble the antlion

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Etymology

Origin of doodlebug¹

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70; doodle ¹ + bug ¹

Origin of doodlebug²

First recorded in 1865–70; special use of doodlebug ¹

Example Sentences

While stationed in Liverpool as a Royal Air Force physical training instructor, a doodlebug landed near Max, perforating his eardrums and leading to a spell laid up in hospital.

From BBC • Jul. 10, 2019

In June 1944, George Orwell's flat in Mortimer Crescent was destroyed by a doodlebug.

From The Guardian • Jan. 20, 2013

It seemed heavy with the weight of its own folklore: chover, billywitch, bummler, doodlebug, mitchamador, midsomerdor, may-bug, June-bug.

From The Guardian • Jun. 5, 2012

He located his first well at West Edmond with the aid of his partner's "doodlebug," the wildcatter's equivalent of a divining rod, which geologists scorn as witchcraft.

From Time Magazine Archive

That old doodlebug only thinks of the silly specimens that he is going to collect down here.

From The White Waterfall by Dwyer, James Francis